This is a plug for the radio show "Ask the Professor", which has been broadcast for over 50 seasons from the McNichols campus of the University of Detroit Mercy (the original U of D campus before the merger with Mercy College).
The description from the website does not do the show justice.
"Moderated by Matthew J. Mio, Associate Professor, Chemistry & Biochemistry, the program features UDM faculty members from history, philosophy, math, chemistry, communications and sociology.
This panel of professors is challenged by listeners with questions about nearly everything, in an attempt to stump the group. Communications Studies students help produce the successful radio program and each show is taped for play on national radio stations."
In reality, the show is very light-hearted, witty, and never takes itself seriously at all. (As can be seen by the
picture of one of the past panels, right.) It is aired through many affiliates across the country, though now not so many as before. I think it was originally offered to stations as a way to help fulfill FCC community service time requirements. Of course this meant it came on when such shows usually do, about 4:30am on Sunday mornings. Apparently the FCC came down on poor ATP, saying it wasn't community based enough for some of the more far flung stations that broadcast the show, and affiliates have declined.
Enter ITunes and podcasts. Now shows can be heard through streaming audio on the site, or downloaded onto your IPod-free.
One of the professor's recently posted on a DetroitYes forum: "If you have never heard this, go to the site and listen - it is in no way a serious show - you can learn something from it, but only by accident, and preferably after having a beer or two." This may also be a reference to some of the show's remote broadcasts from Tom's Tavern near campus, where the panel loosened up with a few adult refreshments while waiting for the electronics to be set up.
Way back one of the first ATP Profs was Fred "Freddy" Hayes, who lived down the street from my family in Redford. I was told that he was a great wit on the show, but he exhibited none of that in the neighborhood. He did flunk my uncle at U of D, so I admired him for that.
I sent a "fan" email to the show months ago, and received a response that it was being read on this week's show which will be aired on Halloween. I downloaded it from the site and listened in.
The point of this post is make people aware of this great local gem that has been hidden under a bushel far too long. Now you can listen for free anytime and anyplace. The have some of the old shows archived and I hope they can put them all on-line eventually. I'd love to hear Freddy Hayes be funny.